Parents urged to teach internet safety

PARENTS are being urged to keep their children safe online this summer by teaching them about the potential dangers of the internet and online gaming.

Leicestershire Police are supporting the national Get Safe Online campaign, which has a specific focus every month.

July’s theme is Being a SwitchedOn Parent.

The campaign said internet parental controls are free of charge and can be activated at any time and filters block adult and illegal content – but these cannot be relied on solely.

Talking to children about safe and appropriate internet and gaming use can have more impact.

In order to monitor the informa- tion added to children’s social media profiles parents are urged to set them up together, which allows for conversations about content and what is appropriate to post and share online.

Parents can also teach their children about their social media footprints, about how their posts and images could be reviewed in five or 10 years by a different audience, such as a potential employer,.

The campaign also said it is important to highlight how important it is to remember people are not always who they say they are, especially virtually.

Get Safe online said: “If your child receives a friend request that doesn’t have a profile picture, or they don’t recognise the person in the photo, then advise them not to accept the request unless they can reassure you that they do know them personally.

“Consider having games consoles in communal family areas of the house to prevent children becoming isolated in an online world and limit the amount of time that is spent online in favour of group activities and off line games.

Leicestershire children’s and young persons officer, Katie Hudson, said: “‘I feel strongly that if we increase parents’ and carers’ knowledge and understanding of the online world, the things to look out for and by having regular open conversations with our children all encourage safe